Monday 1 June 2009

Greek Salad

This is one of my favourite summertime salads. I suppose you could make it all year round, but to me it’s best eaten outside in the sunshine as an accompaniment to a picnic or BBQ. This is exactly what I did yesterday when we had a family BBQ in celebration of my finishing uni (for ever!) and to make the most of the glorious sunshine.

Using proper Greek feta is important, I believe it’s got a far superior creamier texture to feta-style cheese, which can often be a bit chalky. Making the salad a few hours or even the day before you need it allows the flavours to develop and meld together, some of the juices come out of the salad and it sort of self marinades – mmmm delicious.

Tastes great as a salad with other picnic goodies and leftovers are delicious used in wraps, pitta bread, sandwiches or jacket potatoes.

Greek Salad
Ingredients
100g Greek feta cheese
250g cherry tomatoes
½ cucumber
10 stoned black olives
Zest of ½ lemon
Dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

Method
Cut the cucumber in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds using a teaspoon to create little boat shapes and slice them into 5mm thick slices. Pat the feta dry using some kitchen roll and cut into small cubes. Slice the tomatoes into halves or quarters, size dependant, along with the black olives. Finely grate the zest of the lemon onto a chopping board for ease.
Drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over the base of a large serving dish. Sprinkle over a little lemon zest, oregano and black pepper.
Arrange a third of the cucumber, tomato, feta cubes and olives in the base of the dish. Sprinkle over a little more lemon, oregano and pepper. Top with another third of the ingredients, more seasoning and the final third of feta cheese, and salad.
Sprinkle with any remaining lemon zest, oregano and finish with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate until needed. Tastes best if made a few hours or even a day before you need it to allow time for the flavours to develop and meld.
Serves 6 – 8 as an accompaniment. Perfect served with a picnic or BBQ.

18 comments:

Beth (jamandcream) said...

you can't beat greek salad in this weather. I made one yesterday! Delish!!

Snooky doodle said...

It s so summery and delicious! Nice salad :)

Simones Kitchen said...

Congratulations on finishing university! And I totally love Greek salad! Although nothing beats having it in Greece... Makes me want to go there right now!

Anonymous said...

We make almost exactly the same salad! I don't usually put the lemon zest in it though, I'm going to try that next time.

Deborah said...

This looks so refreshing!

The Caked Crusader said...

I totally agree with you - this one has to be eaten in summer. I love the combination of creamy, crumbly feta and olives. Yum

♥Rosie♥ said...

Your Greek salad looks full of colour and balmy sunny days. Wonderful Katie.

Congratulations on finishing university!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

That looks completely the real deal! Fabulous - and, as you say, perfect for weather like this.

mrspao said...

What a great recipe.

Thanks very much for picking me for your competition. My prize arrived safely and I'm very happy with the contents - perfectly timed to make the oatmeal cookies you wrote the recipe for the other day!

Boracay hotel said...

tasty salad... healthfully delicious

Boracay hotel said...

tasty salad... healthfully delicious

Hopie said...

This is one of my favorite salads too! I usually use a vinaigrette dressing, but I'll have to try a lemony one. Looks delicious.

Nic said...

That is one of my favourite summer salads too, and I'm with you on having to use 'Greek' feta!

The Caked Crusader said...

Just wanted to let you know I made this at the weekend and it was divine! Have some left over which I've brought into work for lunch today.
I served it with hot roast chicken and it was simply lovely.
Thanks for sharing

Sophie said...

I'm always eating cucumbers with just vinegar and salt, that's going to change! This recipe is too tempting and that photo is yummy!

nora@ffr said...

i never get the chance to make this salad as i dnt have the recipe.. thanx a lot for sharing.. this rime m definitely gonna try this out.. sounds rili delicious.. btw enjoyed a lot here..
cheers!!

Elle said...

This is one of my favorite summer salads, too. Love your version and the fresh, true feta!

Martha said...

I too love Greek salad but my husband abhors Feta so I don't make it as often as I might. Have you ever tried Nigella Lawson's watermelon feta salad? It's perfect for summer too!